Many were fascinated by Jesus and followed Him. Some even identified themselves as His disciples and affirmed Him to be in some sense their master and Lord. Yet despite all of that, many fell short of salvation because, as the Lord’s pointed question “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord,Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” makes clear, they failed to obey Him.
Malachi 1:6. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Beloved, if you cast you mind back and meditate on gracious benevolence and providence of God to saints and believers in Bible days, you will marvel. Even in this contemporary time, God is still extending same to His saints.
See how your loving Father in heaven ,prospered , Noah,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, king David, Solomon, Hezrekiah, Mordecai and queen Esther.
In addition, ponder on how He fought their battles and gave them victory. Recount how the three Hebrews were delivered from the furnace of fire of king Nebuckadnezer.
Remember, how He shut the lions mouth for Daniel. How about how God brought down Goliath before David. Can you ever comprehend the destruction of Pharaoh and his armies at the Red Sea.?
No wonder, the saints of old worship and rendered befitting honour to Him at all times, during their sojourn on earth. You also by the grace of God shall must imbibe their good examples and continue to access and enjoy His gracious benevolence and providence henceforth till Christ comes in Jesus name.
It is done in Jesus name. See how the saints and believers in Bible days ascribed honour and worship to God.
Genesis 8:20-21. And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
Deuteronomy 32:4: He is the Rock, his work isperfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
2 Samuel 22:4: I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
1 Chronicles 16:28: Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
1 Chronicles 16:29: Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Psalms 29:1 – 2. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Psalms 68:34: Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
Proverbs 3:9-10. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Revelation 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 14:7: Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
However, a time came when the Jews, God’s own people began to despise Him and offered Him, ridiculous offerings and worship. He was very very displeased with this attitude and sent His prophet
Malachi to reprove them, because of the consequences of their shameful and disrespectful attitudes. See it.
Malachi 1:6. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Beloved, see how the Bible severally affirmed the undoing of people in days gone by and even this contemporary time. You must determinedly avoid these untoward attitudes to your loving Father in heaven.
1 Samuel 2:30. Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
Proverbs 8:36. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Isaiah 1:2-4. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
Isaiah 43:22-24. But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
Jeremiah 2:13. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
Beloved , for saints of old and believers in Bible days and this contemporary time, that includes you. God has great rewards for them. See some of His promised rewards. This shall surely be your portion in Jesus name. So be determined to honour Him and be obedient to Him, till Christ comes.
Genesis 15:1: After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Ruth 2:12: The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Psalms 58:11: So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Proverbs 11:18: The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
Galatians 6:7-8. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting
Hebrews 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hebrews 11:26: Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
1 Peter 1:17: And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Dearly beloved, the Bible reveals Jesus Christ unequivocally as, believers, Master and Lord and not just, their Saviour. See it.
John 13:13. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
However, it very surprising and disheartening to see the Worldling and nominal churchgoers, to know that Jesus, Christ is both Master and Lord, and yet not doing what He says.
I am persuaded of you that, you are not like these groups of people. But, please examine yourself thoroughly and be very very sure, that you too do not fall into the category of these people.
Luke 6:46. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
See what characterise their attitude .
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Jeremiah 44:16-17. As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
Ezekiel 33:30-32. Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
But then for believers of all ages and you in particular, the following must characterise your lifestyle, because Jesus is your Master and Lord.
Matthew 6:14 – 15. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 19:19: Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mark 10:19: Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Luke 6:36: Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 18:20: Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
Ephesisns 6: 2. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
1 Timothy 6:1 – 2. Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
Titus 2:9:- 10 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
1 Peter 2:17 – 18 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
1 Peter 2:19: For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Jesus our Lord has never been and will never be a task master. He honours and rewards. believers of all ages and you are included .This is because , you have made Him, your Master and Lord.
Revelation 22:11-12 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
See some of His numerous rewards for the likes of you and believers of all ages.
Proverbs 8:17. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Proverbs 8:32-35. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.
John 12:26. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
John 17:9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
John 17:24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
1 Peter 1:4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
JESUS CHRIST, PROMISED EARTHLY AND ETERNAL REWARDS FOR BELIEVERS OF ALL AGES AND YOU IN PARTICULAR, WHO HAVE RECEIVED HIM, AS MASTER AND LORD.
Friend, it is very important for you to know that only the believers that made Jesus their Master and Lord, shall partake in the dawning rapture . So because you are desirous to be part of the event, you must as a matter of compulsion, make Jesus, not just your Saviour but also Master and Lord.
John 13:13-17. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
So therefore because you have made Him, your Master and Lord, your lifestyle should be characterised by the following:
1. You must avoid the hypocrisy of calling Jesus Lord and not doing the will of your Father in heaven and what Christ says.
Luke 6:46. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Matthew 7:21-23. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
2. You must follow the good example of the wise virgins and avoid the bad example of foolish virgins.
Matthew 25:1-13. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
3. You must strive to enter and remain at the straight gate that leads to eternal life.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Luke 13:24-28. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Receive the grace to do so determinedly and be rapture ready in Jesus name.
See you at the top in Jesus name.
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